Which condition is characterized by the excessive use of substances despite negative consequences?

Substance Use Disorder is characterized by a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to significant impairment or distress. This condition involves a behavior where individuals continue to use substances, despite experiencing negative consequences such as health problems, failing to fulfill major obligations at work or home, and recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused by the substance use.

The diagnosis typically requires meeting specific criteria from the DSM-5, including symptoms like cravings for the substance, tolerance (needing more of the substance to achieve the same effect), and withdrawal symptoms. The emphasis on the excessive use of substances in the presence of harmful effects is what defines this disorder, highlighting the compulsive nature of the behavior and the inability to control substance use despite clear adverse outcomes.

In contrast, Withdrawal Syndrome focuses on the physical and psychological symptoms that occur after reducing or stopping substance use, while Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder pertains to psychosis triggered directly by substance use. Substance Abuse, as a term, is somewhat outdated and often used interchangeably with Substance Use Disorder but does not encapsulate the full range of criteria and impact that the latter does. Thus, Substance Use Disorder is the most accurate and comprehensive term in describing the condition of excessive use coupled with negative consequences.